Operation Safe Lot

Police News

On July 8, 2015, the Hartford Police Department Major Crimes Detectives received reliable information regarding a vehicle in the Blue Hills area, containing a large amount of illegal narcotics. The witness was able to supply Hartford Police with a license plate number and described the vehicle as silver, Honda Ridgeline with heavily tinted windows and rain guards.

At one point during the investigation the vehicle was observed parked in front of 671 Blue Hills Ave by the Hartford Police Central Conditions Unit. As the operator was exiting the suspect vehicle, he was quickly secured in handcuffs. As a result of the investigation, a one ½ pound of Crack/Cocaine and $1,800 U.S currency were seized from the vehicle. The operator of the vehicle was arrested and identified as Antoine Jenkins of Bloomfield, CT. Jenkins, a convicted felon with 43 previous Hartford arrests, was determined to be on Federal Probation after serving 10 years for narcotics trafficking related charges. Evidence seized by Officers on scene through the motor vehicle search is listed below:

Update: Detectives from the Hartford Police Department, Major Crimes Division applied for and obtained an arrest warrant for Roosevelt Holmes 23 of Windsor CT, charging him with the additional charge of Murder. As a result, his bond was increased to $2.5 Million. He is still in custody of the Dept. of Corrections. The warrant will be served at his next court appearance on July 13th. The investigation is ongoing.

On Saturday, June 27, 2015, at 4:30pm Hartford Police Department Patrol Officers and Shooting Task Force Detectives responded to the basketball court at 260 Holcomb Street after several 911 calls for shots fired. Upon arrival, officers encountered a chaotic scene with numerous individuals fleeing from the basketball court area of the school. A basketball tournament was being held at this location with hundreds of people attending. Officers located a male victim (Identified as James Headen, 41 of Hartford) suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. He was transported to St. Francis Hospital via ambulance. As this was occurring, 3 other victims arrived separately at St. Francis by private vehicles. These 3 victims were each suffering from non-life threatening gunshot wounds. At 10:49pm James Headen was pronounced deceased.

Victims:James Headen, 41, of Hartford, was shot in the head. (Pronounced deceased at 10:49pm)Justin Jones, 23, of Hartford, was shot in the hip/groin. (Stable, admitted, non-life threatening)Shawn Patterson, 24, of Hartford, was shot in the hand. (Treated and released)Roosevelt Holmes, 23, of Windsor, was shot in the calf/ankle area. (Treated and released, taken into police custody)

Detectives from the Major Crimes Division and Crime Scene Division began the investigation. During the course of the investigation, it was learned that a basketball tournament was taking place at a basketball court adjacent to the Rawson School when the shooting occurred. Major Crimes Detectives, STF Detectives and patrol officers all received information that Roosevelt Holmes a.k.a. "Roe" became involved in a dispute while the tournament was taking place. (It is, at this time, unclear who this dispute was with, but it does not appear that it was with any of the other victims) Holmes was not a participant in the tournament. The dispute escalated and numerous shots were fired. This is when James Headen, who by all accounts was an innocent bystander, was struck in the head. This is also when the other 3 victims were struck by gun fire.

At St. Francis, Patrol Officers detained the transporting vehicles and drivers. Evidence, to include at least one firearm believed to be involved in this incident, was secured. This firearm was found in the vehicle which delivered Roosevelt Holmes to the Hospital. Upon release from the hospital, Holmes was taken to the HPD Major Crimes for interview. Following the interview he was placed under arrest and charged, held on a $1,000,000 bond. Holmes , a convicted felon, could potentially face further charges.

Charges:1. Criminal Possession of a Firearm2. Criminal Attempt/Assault First Degree3. Reckless Endangerment First Degree4. Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm

This investigation is ongoing. We are asking for any witnesses to please reach out to the Hartford Police Department. We believe that video evidence exists to this event. We are asking for any assistance in obtaining this video. Anonymous sources can contact HPD anonymously at our website. The Major Crimes Division is continuing to investigate this homicide and the investigation is progressing.

On Sunday, May 10, 2015, Hartford Police Department Patrol Officers and Shooting Task Force Officers responded to 29 Seyms Street for a citizens report of shots fired. This was confirmed with a Shot Spotter alert. In the parking lot of the House of Restoration Church, officers located (4) .45 caliber shell casings and (5) live .45 caliber rounds of ammunition. STF Detectives were assigned the investigation. A male suspect fired numerous shots into an occupied apartment located at 29 Seyms Street occupied by adults and young children. One of the projectiles lodged into a child's door jam. The Detective's identified a suspect and developed probable cause leading to the preparation of an arrest warrant. On July 2, 2015, an arrest warrant was granted at GA14 with a court set bond of $1,000,000.00. Almodovar was apprehended by members of the HPD Vice & Narcotics Division on July 2nd.